Kate Beckinsale has said that she is not surprised that the jury for this year's Cannes Film Festival is dominated by men.

Alongside Giovanna Mezzogiorno, the actress is one of only two women on this year's panel, while all the movies vying for the 2010 Palm d'Or have been directed by men.

Beckinsale told Screen: "The way the film industry is, is that if you're a woman, the chances are quite high that you're going to be one of a minority - the crews are very male-heavy. It's a shame but I'm not surprised."

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Of walking the red carpet at the festival, she added: "It's a bit like getting married five times a week.

"When I came to Cannes for Much Ado About Nothing, I was 18 and I wore steel toe-cap Dr Martens up the red carpet. I feel sorry for young actresses starting out, because everyone is so done up."